In March 2017, the average cost of cooking one standard Imeretian khachapuri dropped to 3.41GEL, which is 6.9% lower month-on-month (compared to February 2017), and 4.1% higher year-on-year (compared to March 2016).

In general, at this time of the year (beginning as early as February), we observe the start of a seasonal reduction in the price of khachapuri, driven by the seasonal decline in milk prices. According to Khachapuri Index data from recent years, this downward trend continues from February until late June, and sometimes even through July. The Khachapuri Index data from 2012 through 2017, confirms this same trend every year.

Research on the Georgian dairy sector reflects that in spring and summer, farm gate price ranges from 0.50 GEL to 0.70 GEL per liter of milk, while from September till January, prices go up to around 1.00 GEL. This very high seasonal fluctuation in milk prices is caused by the current underdeveloped structure of the Georgian dairy sector. A large number of small dairy cattle farmers have very low-producing cows and mainly rely on grass for feeding. Only a small number of medium-sized and big cattle farms, with high-yield breeds and modern feeding technologies, are able to supply milk throughout the entire year, including the winter period.